Wednesday, June 6, 2018

What's On Your Workdesk this 470th Wednesday: the D Day edition


I know Julia, at Stamping Ground, our desker Queen and WOYWW host, likes things short and sweet.  However, this is the only chance today I'll get to remind the entire WORLD that this is June 6, also known as D-Day.

Not as used in military lingo denoting when an operation will take place, this specific D-Day is synonymous with June 6, 1944, the day more than 160,000 American, British, and Canadian troops crossed the English Channel and landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France, thus beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II.

As a bit of history, British troops were sent to Sword Beach and Gold Beach, while Canadian troops were sent to Juno Beach.   American troops landed on Omaha and Utah Beaches. Juno and Omaha Beaches suffered very little damage from air strikes because visibility was so poor. This made the amphibious landings far more difficult and dangerous. 

More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by the end of the day, Allies gained a foot-hold in continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded.  The fight was not in vain, though.  Within three months, the northern part of France was freed and the invasion force was preparing to enter Germany, where they joined Soviet forces moving in from the east.  D-Day is the day that started what is considered the single greatest battle of WWII.

It's been 74 years since Operation Overlord as it was officially called, but I suspect those brave men (and women) still alive who lived through this invasion will remember it like it was yesterday.  Please remember these brave British, Canadian, and American souls who gave everything to keep us safe from Hitler.

 Now it's time for me to remove my history hat and put on my voyeur hat.

I waited until after the mail had arrived, hoping Neet's ATC would arrive.  Sadly, it is not here yet.   Here are the ones I made for Julia and Sarah, my PIF.  Both have received theirs.  The one at the top is my prototype.

I can't seem to get motivated, so my desk has seen absolutely no activity this week, except my ICADs and 365 something collages which I've already scanned, shared, and filed away.

But I'm really in LOVE with my newest rocking horse, which I received for my bEARTHday.  It came all the way from Austria, and I love it.

It was part of a huge gift from Susi, my friend and co-administrator of Art Journal Journey.   I realize you shouldn't show favoritism, but I can't help it.  This is the most unique rocking horse I now can call my own.

As I was putting my beautiful new rocker back, I noticed how horrible my "tool" caddy was looking.  I was actually ashamed to show it in the photos and Wendy wasn't looking too happy, either.

To make a long post even longer, 

I bit the bullet and took time to clean it.

I'm glad I did, because I found a few things I had forgotten I had placed in this caddy.  Even Wendy can now hold her head high.

Thank you for joining me today.  I appreciate your visit, and if you are here from Julia's, I guess you know to leave your number.

42 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your desk looks tidy, and I am sure you will find more now that you have cleaned the caddy. Have a great day, Valerie

Helen said...

Happy WOYWW Elizabeth. the caddy didn't look too bad to me...although I can see it is neater now! Glad you found some things you didn't know you had lost! Helen #??

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Elizabeth, thanks again for the fab ATC which is also shown off on my blog today. Your cleaned up caddy looks impressive; a place for everything... Cool rocking horse with the post bag! Happy WOYWW Sarah #4

SumBunneh said...

Hi :)
History is an important thing to look back on and try to learn from.. I always wonder what people in 100 years will learn from us!

Love your craft tidy.. so full of promises!

Hugs from number 7!
Erika x

Christine said...

Just love that Rocking horse!!! He is definitely one to be proud of.
Have a good week
Christine #12

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Morning Elizabeth so important to remember the day your posts are always so informative. Sorry for my lack of visits this week I’m afk and with limited access to the internet. Tried to post on yesterday’s post and it just kept churning!! Fingers crossed for this one Happy WOYWW.
Hugs Tracey #awol xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Elizabeth. We have so much to be grateful for and it's great that people don't forget D Day. I shall pop back later and have another look at those maps. Loving the rocking horse too. Love to Bleu. Have a great woyww, Angela x16x

Julia Dunnit said...

Fantastic reminder of D Day, thank you. 78 years..it really isnt that long is it.
Well, if you’re feeling unmotivated, a good tidy is no bad thing, and your caddy does look very different..I wonder if it gave you the need to do something? When I was clearing out my parents home I was working through pots of kitchen utensils - you know, sorting for recycling and re-use and at the bottom of one pot I found a precious opal ring that my father had spent a long time looking for. In the early days of her dementia, my poor Mama would ‘post’ things in safe places. Thank goodness I cleared the caddy out and didn’t just chuck the lot in a bin, that was a life lesson received!

Lunch Lady Jan said...

I feel that it's because of those sacrifices the brave troops gave that we have the peace and time to do what we want to nowadays. So thank you for flagging up today's importance, we shouldn't forget it. Well done for clearing your caddy out, it's like Christmas all over again when you rediscover an old favourite!!
Hugs LLJ 11 xxx

Annie said...

I’m really loving the new rocking horse.
Hugs,
Annie x #15

Diana Taylor said...

My father and father-in-law both saw active service, one in North Africa and the other in Italy- thank you for the moving reminder of such an important day.
It's great having a sort out and finding goodies you'd forgotten about - I came across a bag of jigsaw pieces this week that were stuffed away in a dark corner of my studio! You are looking beautifully organised now!
Have a great week,
Diana x #21

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, these parts of history are something we must never, ever forget. Those caddys are so useful, but as you say, get stuffed with all sorts of things! Hugs and ear scritches to Bleubeard. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #18 XxX

froebelsternchen said...

Firstly I thought you told me to visit because of D-Day. I am always interested in history but since my hubby always looks documentaries on WW I and WW II and I have seen some of them twice or even three times already, I get meanwhile a bit bored at all- but I know how important it is to remember! I hope it will never be forgotten ! Well done to honor them all! They were simply heroes to give her lifes for foreign people - unbelievable and just WONDERFUL!!! We must never forget them!
Your flower ATCs are just so lovely. Looks a bit like paper piecing and great to give them all the NINE as a celebration number for WOYWW!
I am happy you like your rocking horse - that makes me happy Elizabeth! The moment I saw it I knew that this would be something for your collection!
So well done to not making art but organizing the organizer new. We always find new inspiration when organizing our stuff new, don't we?
I can see how well organized all is in your art and craft studio!
Happy Day!
I have many things to do until Saturday - hope I get everthing done I have on my agenda!

Hugs, Susi

Hazel said...

Good to show the reminder about D day - thank you. Lots of loveliness to see in your workspace today. Thanks for sharing. Hazel, # 22 x

Anonymous said...

Happy WOYWW. Our World continues to be such a cruel, but beautiful, place. I am tidying up my craft room, now that I have some new storage, and it is wonderful to have less and in a cleaner/more accessible state. Ali x #9

My name is Erika. said...

That is a gorgeous rocking horse. It looks very European and I like it. I also like your little green genius sign. :) That is pretty funny-but I am sure quite true too. :) I didn't notice your caddy mess as compared to my present mess, it is very very clean. I really need to take a couple of days and clean-once school is out. I have a little path to me table, which has a mountain on one side of bits and pieces. :) Hope all is well, and thanks for the reminder of D Day. There aren't that many WWII vets left and I am afraid people will really forget in another 10 or so years. Hugs-Erika

CJ Kennedy said...

Thanks for the history reminder.I liked looking at the Operation Overlord map with the crests of all the divisions that participated in the strike. Your ATC roses are very cute as is the rocking horse and rider. Even though you said your tool caddy was a mess, it still looked pretty neat. Fun teapot card, too. Enjoy your day.

Caty said...

It is always good to remember the events of the History Elizabeth. Thank you very much for making us thinking on human solidarity, in that second world war. We live in a world where wars and terrorism often take over the fear of the people, and make us react, fight against such barbarism. I wish there were no wars, because too many innocent people die and suffer, but..... it´s so sad.
Your atc's are beautiful, I love them! wonderful all!
The rocking horse is the most fabulous. How clean everything looks, and well ordered!
I wish you a very nice afternoon, big hugs, Caty

Neet said...

Oh Bubba! That's me swearing in a non-swear word/language. It is now getting to look as if my atc's have gone astray. I say atc(S) because there was one specially in for Bleubeard which he could share with Squiggles. I put two in and stuck them together so that they would not move about in the envelope.

I remember sending to Wichita because the "Wichita Linesman" kept running through my head - now who sang it? Was it Glen Campbell? Drove me mad as I could not stop singing it for ages.

Anyway, I am so sorry Elizabeth so i will get into my craft room as soon as my son has stopped sleeping here (too noisy where he lives and he is on nights this week) and make you another - maybe the cats will have to do without this time.

Thanks for the reminder about D Day - I had forgotten (and so had Chas which is rather a surprise).

Hugs, Neet xx 8 maybe?

aussie aNNie said...

Goodness busy work desk. This is what my craft room has looked like the past two weeks, sorting stamps, dies and getting rid of unwanted goodies...take care and thanks for your kind words on my blog.xxcxc[aussie aNNie blog]

Monica said...

I am sure Bluebeard helps with the tidy up!. Like your D Day remembrance. That war impacted my life. Always grateful for the sacrifice of so many.
Have a great day.
Monica #27

Sami said...

Thanks for the reminder of this special day in our history Elizabeth. I'm surprised I saw no mention of it on Australian tv, but I must say sometimes the news here are very much just local news and not much about the rest of the world...
I see your pretty rocking horse has pride of place at your worktable.

Sandra Cox said...

Your caddy cleans up nicely:) The original picture looks like my current mail caddy. Sigh.
Love your rocking horse. What a purrfect gift.
Thank you for the history and D-Day reminder. May we never forget.
Hugs

kathyinozarks said...

I love your desk-it's an art desk after all-hugs I have not been able to get into my craft room at all for over a month and I really miss it-I am pretty caught up outdoors finally so am hoping to be able to make some time for crafts along with the house projects. I can definately see more paper making in the near future.
I love your caddy and wow I am in love with your gift rocking horse-it's really special and I can see how it is your new favorite. enjoy!!
Thanks for the history as I did forget about this being D Day
Enjoy the rest of your day Kathy

Sue said...

Hi Elizabeth, Loving the rocking horse and soldier.

I'm surprised there hasn't been things in the news today about D-Day.

Your caddy looks great for holding all sorts.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #10



RO said...

Your straightening sure looks lots better than around here Elizabeth! On my work desk are five containers of washi tape, stickers, supplies, pens/pencils and some magazines. Of course I also keep a few snacks that probably shouldn't be there.(lol) It's hot here in NC, and getting hotter! By August when I'm ready to celebrate my freebies, I'll need to join a Nudist camp. (lol) Hugs and happy Wednesday to you! RO

RO said...

The Genius at Work stand always makes me smile. HUGE Hugs...

Divers and Sundry said...

D-Day is much in the news today as some in government try to re-write history. The times in which we live are, um... interesting, shall we say.

I love your genius-at-work sign. Those goodies will mean an inspired genius, I imagine :)

Lindart said...

We are very grateful to those who died in the two WWs, so that we may live the wonderful and free lives that we now enjoy. Thank you for the reminder of D-Day! Your ATCs are very cute! Good job on cleaning out your caddy - I almost always find something unexpected when I clean something out! Have a great week, Lindart #31

Anne said...

Hi Elizabeth and thank you for calling in. I'm glad you reminded me about June 6th and D Day. I'm usually very aware of it but for some reason was not this year - also there has not been anything on news about it.
I love the latest rocking horse!
Anne x #17

Anne said...

Hi Elizabeth and thank you for calling in. I'm glad you reminded me about June 6th and D Day. I'm usually very aware of it but for some reason was not this year - also there has not been anything on news about it.
I love the latest rocking horse!
Anne x #17

Meggymay said...

It was a wonderful powerful post, to remember the D day landings, a day
that should not be forgotten.
Your ATC's looks fantastic and so does your very tidy desk caddy.
As I have said before, I wish I could work in a tidy way, but this is just a dream of mine.
Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your work area and lovely rocking horse.
Yvonne xx

Heather M said...

Hi Elizabeth, thank you for the reminder about D Day. A wonderful post. Your tool caddy looks nice and organised now! Like you, I have not done any crafting this week, not even tidying up. Thanks for stopping by earlier and have a lovely week Heather x #14

Angie said...

Oh my! That caddy would have driven me crazy, I'm sure you can put your hands right on what you want though. Your rocking horse is adorable! Happy belated bearthday! Thanks for the visit!
Angie #26

Twiglet said...

Thanks for the D Day info - we always like to watch commemorative tv programs - its good to be reminded of why we are free and so very, very fortunate. Your new rocking horse is really lovely. xx Jo

Jeanie said...

I am a WWII nut so I especially appreciated the top part of this post. I'm hoping to return to the beaches in October when we go to England and cross the channel. It's a matter of time and scheduling. Being on Omaha beach was one of the most powerful experiences of my life.

I love your studio photos and your new rocking horse is adorable. Yes, I know what you mean about finding things you forgot you had! I've done it too!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Yes! An important day to remember! I really wish I could take part in WOYWW again but just know I couldn't visit everyone back! I loVe Susi,s rocking horse! Well done for the sorting out of your caddy! Hugs Chrisx

Shoshi said...

What a great post, and a great way to remember such an important day in our history. We must never forget the sacrifices our armed forces made, and continue to make. Your ATCs are just gorgeous, Elizabeth - I love the layered flowers and how imaginative to use the "9" from playing cards! Brilliant. Your caddy is now much improved! Would you like to pay me a visit and sort out my chaotic studio too? Lol!! And I adore your new little rocking horse! One day you must line them all up for a photo shoot so we can enjoy them all together. Thank you for a lovely comment and I'm glad you like all our various garden activities! The kitties were out there all day today and crashed out asleep when they came in after all that fresh air and excitement. My new phone arrived today but I can't set it up till the SIM card arrives - hopefully tomorrow or the next day.

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #25

Kim said...

Wow, did time get away from me!! Happy belated WOYWW! I love your reminder of D-Day. Its sad that one of my Co-workers didn't at first know what I was talking about. I also love your rocking horse--very unique!

Hope your Mojo comes back, and thanks for visiting! Have a great weekend.
-K #27

Lowcarb team member said...

Just love the rocking horse!

All the best Jan

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Love your ATCs and I love that very special rocking horse. It makes me smile every time you share it.

Kelly said...

So you're the one with the unique and creative ATC I saw on Angela's desk! tidy desk just waiting for inspiration to strike. Thanks for the visit last week. yes, lots going on. I have to stay busy or I go positively nuts and I'm always wanting to learn. Will explain my process on Wednesday. Cya then! Kelly #24